Prep teams emerging as title contenders


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SALT LAKE CITY — There were several teams that had “statement wins” in Week 4 of the high school football season.

Woods Cross defeating East, 45-28, had to be the most impressive. The Wildcats move to 4-0 on the season and with a victory over the Leopards already in hand they look like the team to beat in Region 6.

Murray won its first region game in four years with a 38-7 win over Orem. The Spartans are 3-1 for the first time since 2000. They are averaging 36 points per game.

Tooele still has a big test coming up against rival Stansbury, but the Buffaloes passed a big road test Friday with a 38-15 win at Bear River. The Buffaloes are 4-0 for the first time since 2000 and are now ranked fourth in the Class 3AA KSL Coaches' Poll.

In Class 2A, Summit Academy earned an impressive road win with a thrilling 20-13 victory over North Summit. The Bears are now 4-0 and ranked third in the 2A coaches' poll.

It wasn’t a region win, but Jordan represented Utah well over the weekend with a 38-14 win over Cherry Creek, Colorado, which was ranked fifth in Colorado’s largest classification. Austin Kafentzis had 431 yards of total offense and three touchdown passes.

Top five performers

Aleck Russon, RB, Skyline: Skyline has had some impressive quarterbacks and running backs over the years and that makes what Aleck Russon did Friday night against Timpanogos even more special. He rushed for a school-record 304 yards in the 55-32 win. He also found the end zone four times.

Nick Schwartzman, LB, Tooele: Schwartzman played a major role in the Buffaloes' 38-15 road win against Bear River. He intercepted three passes and returned one for a touchdown. He also had eight tackles, one for a loss and a fumble recovery.

Bridger Cowdin, RB, Desert Hills: The Thunder continue to ride their star running back who is putting up big numbers every week. Cowdin carried the ball 19 times for 284 yards (15.96 yards per carry) and three touchdowns. He had a total of 327 all-purpose yards in the Thunder’s 45-7 win over Cedar.

Bracken Santos, RB/KR, South Summit: Santos had a night to remember in the Wildcats' 56-19 road win over Beaver. He rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown on just six attempts. He also caught a touchdown pass and returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown. He finished with 334 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns in the win.

Jacob Doman, WR, Pleasant Grove: Doman caught 10 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns including the game-winner with 19 seconds left in the the Vikings' 40-39 win over Maple Mountain.

Top five games to watch

Logan at Roy, 7 p.m Friday, Game Night Live Game of the Week

Is Roy for real? The Royals are 4-0 for the third consecutive year. They haven’t started a season 5-0 since Jim McMahon was the quarterback in 1975, almost 40 years ago. They face their toughest test of the season Friday at home against Logan. The Grizzlies can make a statement that they are still the team to beat in Region 5.

Herriman at Jordan, 7 p.m.

Another top five non-region matchup in 5A featuring the high-scoring offense of Jordan led by Kafentzis and the physical defense of Herriman. Jordan is off to a 4-0 start, and with Kafentzis running the show the Beetdiggers might be Bingham’s strongest challenger for the 5A title. Herriman would love to prove just how good its defense is by bottling up Kafentzis something few, if any, teams have been able to do.

Union at Judge Memorial, 7 p.m.

Judge is once again the team to beat in 3A, but Union can’t wait to get its shot at the defending champs. The Cougars are 4-0 for the first time since 1988 and are looking to make a statement in Salt Lake City Friday. Judge has not lost to a 3A opponent under the latest realignment.

East at Highland, 7 p.m.

This may be the most intense rivalry in the state. The two teams will battle for the 57th time Friday night. Highland leads the rivalry all-time 32-24, but East has won three straight in the series. East has opened the season 1-3 and will be looking to get back on track, while the Rams hope to keep pace in the region race at the expense of their rival.

Pine View at Dixie, 7 p.m.

The much-anticipated rematch between 3AA finalists Pine View and Desert Hills is set for next week. Dixie would love to take some of the air out of that rematch. Panthers quarterback and BYU commit Kody Wilstead is having an outstanding season with 1,227 yards passing, 14 touchdowns and no interceptions. Dixie is also led by an outstanding quarterback in Ammon Takau with 1,111 total yards and 11 total touchdowns.

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Jeremiah Jensen

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